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Favourite Finds: Romain FX

Continuing our spotlight series called Favourite Finds, we ask some of our favourite DJs, collectors and selectors to tell us the story behind how they came across one of their favourite records.

For the next instalment, we’ve asked renowned DJ, producer, label owner and illustrious digger Romain FX to tell us the story behind how he came across one of his favourite records.

Born in France yet spending many of his formative years in Hong Kong and Taiwan, Romain became a key figure in East Asia’s dance music scene. Connecting Asian artists to the world, he is founder of the award-winning Fauve Radio collective and Fauve record label. An esteemed DJ and producer in his own right he has released on the likes of Permanent Vacation, Kalahari Oyster Cult, Live At Robert Johnson and most recently on Sound Metaphors with his global hit, Cantonese cover of Charlie’s Italo classic ‘Spacer Woman’.

"This vinyl was one of my first introductions to Cantonese music. I spent countless trips digging in Sham Shui Po, Mongkok, and Tsim Sha Tsui, hoping to stumble upon it while searching through crates and shops, but luck was never on my side. One day, while chatting with merchants in Mandarin, I heard about someone selling a personal record collection from their attic near Apliu Street. After hours of searching, I finally spotted a cardboard sign reading “出售黑胶唱片” (vinyl for sale), pointing to a 15th-floor apartment.

Following the lead, I arrived to find an elderly man who led me through his apartment into a room at the very back. There, in the dim, flickering light, among old furniture, was a pile of at least 3,000 disorganized and dusty records—an absolute treasure trove for a digger. With little time left in the day, I promised to return the next morning."

"Armed with gloves and a mask, I spent hours sorting through the dusty collection. Within the first hour, I spotted the record—my heart leapt with excitement! Internally, I was screaming with joy, but I kept my face neutral to avoid tipping off the seller and risking a price hike. I pulled it out… and it wasn’t the right record. That sinking feeling hit me even harder. But experienced diggers know these feelings, but they also know: if it’s a personal collection, there’s a good chance the vinyl is misplaced in another sleeve.

At that moment, I knew I had to not only check every album cover but also every vinyl inside each sleeve. It was going to take all day—or even longer. The heat and 93% humidity made the process gruelling, but I pushed through. After two full days of searching, I found the record—hidden in a Beethoven symphony sleeve! Despite minor moisture mould, it was in great condition. I bought a lot of 30 records for just €30, with this gem among them."

"This album stands out as one of the few Cantonese records I can listen to all the way through. Many records from that era had only one or two standout tracks, but this one is filled with original, well-produced songs. While some tracks lean a little cheesy, they display a nostalgic charm that’s hard to resist, featuring amazing percussive and melodic work and, of course, the “Sade of Cantonese singers,” 劉美君 (Prudence Liew) that embellishes all the songs.

This journey taught me a valuable lesson: persistence pays off. Digging requires patience and determination, but moments like this make the effort more than worthwhile, and you get a good story out of it."

Big thanks to Romain for taking the time out to tell us the story behind his favourite find. Be sure to check out his mixes and productions and also the Fauve record label too.